VISCAM 1000 Systems
32
System Set-Up
It is recommended to use as little HDR as possible so that the compression and lower contrast in the images is
minimized.
4.12
Time Synchronization Settings
Most ITS systems require that all cameras are time synchronized – both with the back-office as well as with
each other. The VISCAM-1000 supports time synchronization using the standard Network Time Protocol (NTP)
where one or more designated NTP Servers provide the time for the whole system.
The NTP Time Synchronization is configured directly using ENSetup in section “14 – Time Synchronization”.
Figure 35.
Time Synchronization settings in ENSetup
Before enabling the NTP Client all configuration parameters have to be set up, or else it will require a restart
of the NTP Client in order to make the parameters effective.
The following parameters need to be configured:
1)
NTP Client Control – Enable or Disable the NTP client in the camera.
2)
NTP-Server 1/2/3 IP-address: these parameters specify which NTP Server(s) on the network that the NTP-
Client will use for the time synchronization. The first IP-address in the list will be considered the preferred
server.
3)
NTP Max estimated Error: Specifies the maximum estimated error allowed (in microseconds) before a
ERROR_NTP_TIME error telegram will be generated when an image is captured. This is typically used in
systems where there is a strict requirement to the synchronization accuracy of all cameras (like for
instance Section Control systems).
4)
NTP Mode: This controls the NTP-Client mode of operation. Three modes are available: a) “Default”, b)
“Burst” and c) “Burst + Min/Max Poll intervals”. “Default” mode will use default configuration parameters
when the NTP Client daemon is started. “Burst” mode will speed up the initial communication to/from the
NTP Server and thereby help the NTP Client start/restart faster. “Burst + Min/Max Poll intervals” mode will
both speed up initial communication as well as set the minimum and maximum poll interval for
communication between the NTP Server and the NTP Client. This typically means that the minimum and
maximum poll intervals are changed to a lower value than that of the “Default” mode, thereby making the
NTP Client more responsive and more accurate – especially in cases where the NTP Server is not a high-end
dedicated time server, but instead is a service running on a standard PC on the network.
5)
NTP Minimum/Maximum Poll interval: These two settings specify the poll interval range used by the NTP
Client. The values are defined in seconds as a power of two so a minimum value of 4 translates to 2
4
seconds = 16 seconds. A value of 6 translates into 2
6
seconds = 64 seconds. The minimum value is the poll
interval being used whenever the NTP Client starts up. It will then gradually increase the poll interval to
the maximum value and this maximum value will be used when the time synchronization is in a steady
state.
It is recommended to use the “Burst + Min/Max Poll Interval” mode when a standard PC is being utilized as the
NTP Server on the network.
